Comeback flight of SpaceX delayed

The much-awaited return launch of SpaceX just got a delay. The Falcon 9 rocket launch has been pushed pack several days to January 14th, at 12:54 PM Eastern, confirmed by Iridium. This postponement is very long compared to most other delays where it tends to be 1 or 2 days at most. So why this long wait? The simple answer is mighty mother nature. The forecast for the next several days is the weather at Vandenberg Air Force Base will just be terrible, there are “high winds and rain” which makes for a bad launch condition.

Taking no chances

This delay is not a big headache for SpaceX or Iridium. They probably want the environment to be 100% safe. These two companies wants to make sure the first falcon 9 launch since the September explosion will go off without a hitch, which is essential to protect the valuable payload, that is Iridium Next satellite and also to show that the ambitious private spaceflight plan of Elon Musk is back on track and in moving in full speed ahead. It also gives some extra opportunity to verify the helium loading changes intended to prevent another disaster. Waiting several days will be worthwhile if it sets minds at ease in the long run.